Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Sergio Ruiz/PRESSIN
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Raphinha, Transfers, Mikel Arteta, Barcelona
Ryan Smart
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Raphinha, Transfers, Mikel Arteta, Barcelona
Barcelona star Raphinha is being linked with a move to Arsenal this summer - and he has already told manager Mikel Arteta what he needs to hear.
Spanish outlet SPORT claim that Gunners sporting director Edu has been making 'constant calls' to the player's agent, former Barca, Porto and Chelsea midfielder Deco.
It is reported that a fee of between €70-80 million could be enough to seal a deal, but the Gunners are said to face competition from both Chelsea and Newcastle.
Arsenal launched a bid to sign Raphinha from Leeds last summer for £40 million, but The Athletic claimed this was considerably below the selling club's valuation.
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This time around, it appears that Arsenal want to test Barca's resolve - and the 26-year-old has already proven to Arteta why he would be the perfect signing.
Speaking in January about players Arsenal would like to bring in, Arteta explained (quotes via The Independent): "We don't need a body, we need players that make the team better.
"I think personalities that have the mentality that want to win and we have to focus on that. We have to be very strict with what we have done and the policy we have had to make the team successful."
Whilst at Barcelona, Raphinha has won his third trophy in club football, with the previous two trophies won at previous club Sporting Lisbon.
The Brazilian's side lifted the Supercopa de Espana in January, with this season's La Liga title also impending. Barca are 13 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid with five games remaining, and can secure the title next Sunday.
But it is Raphinha's comments after lifting the Supercopa that will no doubt impress Arteta, Edu and the rest of Arsenal's hierarchy.
He said: "This is my first trophy with this giant club, this enormous shirt of FC Barcelona - it's incredible.
"And so now we go for more trophies."
And it is the Brazilian's clearly relentless winning mentality in the pursuit of more trophies that could make him ideal for the Gunners.
Arteta's side look likely to miss out on winning a trophy this season, with Manchester City now four points ahead of them in the Premier League table prior to the Gunners' clash at Newcastle on Sunday.
But they have still enjoyed an incredible season, confounding pre-season predictions of a battle to finish in the top four. The addition of a player such as Raphinha, who has more trophy-winning experience via his time at Barca, could give Arsenal the edge that they need to get over the line next season - and compete in the Champions League.